The Linguist

@CIOL_Linguists SUMMER 2023 The Linguist 9 FEATURES GUIDING GLOBALLY (Above, l-r) A girl guide on camp; guides enjoy marshmallows toasted on a fire; the Juliette Low Seminar, WAGGGS' leadership development event, in Nigeria 2019; Jo Tillotson in the booth at the WAGGGS Europe Conference; and during a break from her role as a coordinator at the conference travelled to the staff base in India and provided interpretation for the live virtual sessions. • In July 2023, WAGGGS is holding its 38th World Conference. The LST is translating all the information and briefing documents, draft motions and biographies of candidates for the World Board, and supporting staff members to prepare multilingual presentations. For the first time, we have recruited an interpreting team made up only of volunteers, who are travelling to Cyprus for the week-long event. Interpreting at a conference like this is an incredible but challenging experience. In addition to the usual difficulties of global accents, technological mishaps and high-level governance vocabulary, you also have to expect the unexpected. I did not, for example, expect to find myself in a booth in Rotterdam interpreting the instructions for a multilingual action song right before launching into a voting session! The variety of the work makes it difficult but also extremely fun. A supportive community I have been lucky enough to attend several international camps and events in the UK, as well as global and regional events in Croatia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Norway and Oman as a language volunteer. In addition to the travel perks, it is extremely fulfilling to work on projects that have a genuine impact at the grassroots level for so many girls and young women, including my own Brownies. These days I work more in a coordinating function, advocating for the language needs of our global members and, just as importantly, for the needs of our LST volunteers, ensuring they feel supported and valued, whatever language service they are providing. It is our vision that no member should be prevented from participating in an event or from accessing information or programme resources because of the language they speak, or rather, the language they do not speak. As more of WAGGGS' global-level events and programmes have moved online, more people are able to access them, including an increasing number who feel happier expressing themselves in Arabic, French or Spanish than in English. We have also successfully advocated for more content to be presented in all four languages, moving away from an approach that focused on delivering in English with interpretation or translation into other languages, towards one in which all four languages are considered equal. For our volunteers, we have our own space on WAGGGS' platform, Campfire, where we can discuss terminology and evolving language trends, learn about Guiding/Girl Scouting practices and traditions in other countries, and share projects more effectively. When we are providing interpreters for multi language events, we recruit a coordinator whose role is to liaise between the organisers and the LST. They make sure our volunteers get all the documentation they need in good time, can use the virtual platform for the event, and are guaranteed adequate rest periods. The LST gives regular updates on WAGGGS programmes and their content, and any organisational changes that will help volunteers in their work, as well as training on technical aspects of online working. LST gatherings help to develop team spirit, ensuring our volunteers feel like they are an important part of the movement rather than just service providers. I am also still a Tawny Owl, helping Brownies to grow and develop their leadership skills at a grassroots level. Brownies looks quite different now to when I started but the ethos is still the same – to do my best, to serve my community and to help other people – all elements that are enshrined not only in my roles as Tawny Owl and co-lead of the WAGGGS Language Services Team, but also in my professional life as an interpreter. Contact languages@wagggs.org for more information about the LST or if you would like to volunteer with us. IMAGES © JO TILLOTSON

• Cover